Happy Watercolor Flower

My card today was inspired by some I've seen online with this type of design, but I went about it a lot differently.  I made mine using our Circle Collection of framelits dies.  I opened my card up completely, cut the circle, then scored and folded back the cover of the card.  Because I decided to add the ribbon trim to my card, I folded the front back so that you still see part of the card base to the left of the ribbon trim.  This gives a completely different look to your card.

The stamped design is actually on the inside of the card and shows through the opening to the front.  Because so much of the inside shows, I used 2 layers inside the card and then coordinating trim on the edge of the front.  I added an embossed strip of CS to the front, to pull all the colors together.  My color story is directly from the Sweet Sorbet DSP, playing with Crisp Cantaloupe and Sahara Sand.  This was a really fun card to create.

Design Tips:
I knew I wanted some kind of 'trim' extending over the left edge of my card and chose the Stretch Trim ribbon because it was out and in use with all my projects using our Sweet Sorbet DSP.  Your supplies can often guide the direction you go in your creative process.  You could easily change the entire color story and try using the edge of a punched piece of CS using one of our border punches or our Tasteful Trim die instead of a ribbon trim.

The flower was stamped onto the inside of the card.  Only the stem will end up showing, so stamp in the color of ink you'd like for your stem.  I actually used Sahara Sand, because I was making the entire card in soft, subtle colors.
The top of the flower was then stamped with black StazOn ink onto watercolor paper --- two times.  The first flower top was cut out completely and adhered flat onto the inside of the card over the previously stamped image.
Only part of the second flower top was cut out (See photo.) and adhered with dimensionals.  This gives an incredible dimension to the flower.

The linen thread was tied into a bow, a glue dot was rolled up and stuck to the back of the bow to adhere it to the card.
The envelope is lined with Sweet Sorbet DSP.  The card base is Sahara Sand.

You can't see it, but I stamped a message on the inside of the card, on the bottom left.  It says:  "You make me happy."
I think anyone would enjoy getting a card like this.

... and one final note:
The size and shape you choose to cut for your 'opening' will be based on the size and shape of your stamped image.  Place different sizes and shapes of framelits over the image you are thinking of using and see how it all works together.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Framed Bunny Babies

After making my framed bunny project, I decided to make some bunny babies.  These are all from our First Edition DSP.  I love how they turned out!

I used 3 different punches for the body.  The size punches or dies you use depends on the size of your frames.

 

The background papers are from our paper stacks of DSP.  We have a stack for each color family.  I added a nice little white satin bow at the corner of each frame and attached it with Liquid Tombow. 

The bunny tails are flowers from our Artisan Embellishment kit.  If you're looking for a nice little vignette for Easter, try adding a banner and several framed bunnies.  You could go on to add some decorative eggs, grass, more bunnies... whatever you can dream up.  

Here's what I came up with for my dining room table.  Picture these on a buffet with some framed bunnies and a banner in the background.  Wouldn't that be pretty?

So, are you wondering how my Work Like a Dog mission came out?  I'd say it was a huge success, except for a bad back keeping me up all night last night.  I accomplished many, many things on my To Do list and it was a pleasure to knock them off --- one by one.  Am I finished?  Well, no, because I knew I had a longer list that I could possibly finish, even in 6 days.  The good news is that what is left is manageable AND I have a working plan for completing it.  I'm happy to say that I didn't go crazy and that I have calmed down my Spring Fever of madness as far as being in a frenzy of activity.  The only thing I have left to say is:  Where is Spring?  and... Why do we say we've 'worked like a dog?'  I don't see any of that in my furry studio mascot.


Where is Spring?

Work like a dog?  Really?

So here's to a more sane and 'normal' week this week AND a better back.  Hope you have a good one.

a Message to my Friends...and More Snow Fun

A message to my friends:

I'd love to stay in touch with all of you.  I enjoy sharing ideas and inspiration, along with tutorials and other information to help you be at your creative best. 

Facebook is rolling out a new notification feature.  Because of the way Facebook works, only some of my posts show up in your news feed. If you want to get a notification every time I post, please go to my page, click on the "LIKED" button and select "GET NOTIFICATIONS."

My sharing for today ... more SNOW FUN!

I used the pine sprig stamp from Watercolor Winter to create a background for the snowman.  By using punches, I created an ornament effect, like he is hanging on the Christmas tree.  The ribbon is our Gumball Green stitched ribbon.  It is beautiful and so easy to work with on your projects.  My colors are Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler --- a perfect combo!  This is one of the cards we made at a recent event here in my studio.  Everyone loved it!

Have a great day and come back soon.  I have more tutorials coming up, along with time-saving tips to help you get ready for the holidays.

1 Card: 2 Ways

It's fun to reuse a template when you have a favorite.  Here's a card I designed that I really liked.

I used the same design again and replaced the apple with some Fall leaves.

This time, I stamped leaves onto the background of the oval greeting, stamping off first to make them lighter.
I stamped a coordinating envelope to go with the card.  I think someone would be happy to get this in the mail on their birthday.

Coming soon:  sneak peek at some of the creations for my Oct. 19 Touch of Christmas class.  I can't wait to show you!  Come back and check it out.